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Organising dress fittings and hair appointments can be difficult for brides-to-be.
It can be tricky finding suitable times for the bridal party, or find an available make-up artist.
The newest shop in Kirkcaldy High Street aims to take care of those concerns.
The Bridal Hut features a hair and make-up salon on its ground floor,.
And upstairs is a wedding boutique with a wide range of wedding and bridesmaids dresses.
Gemma Provan is the woman behind the new store.
She said: “I’ve thought for years that I’d like to open my own place.
“When this space became available and I saw it, I just thought it was perfect.
“I’ve managed to speak to a few people in the industry and build the best team I can find.
“It’ll have everything under one roof.”
Gemma said she hopes the shop will take some stress off brides-to-be in the run-up to their weddings.
“I got married last year and having worked in the industry, I’ve got a lot of contacts.
“I still found it so time consuming and quite overwhelming to plan the wedding.
“There is a lot to think about – so having everything in one space for your bridal party is one less thing to have to think about.”
Fife shop opens after significant investment
Gemma, from Glenrothes, said she has invested a significant sum into the project.
And she admitted the past few weeks have been “chaos” trying to refurbish the store. It was formerly Finishing Touches by Adele until the owner retired last year.
The 28-year-old took over on January 10 and opened on Saturday.
“I gave myself a tiny window to get it renovated but I didn’t want to miss wedding season.
“Adele had some dresses and she did props for weddings, invitations and balloons.
“She has been absolutely brilliant. She’s given me a lot of guidance.”
Gemma has called on her husband John who runs Provan Joinery to help fit-out the downstairs.
“It’s been non-stop but it’s exciting.
“I’m really pleased to be open. There’s a nice buzz about it.”
A boost to Kirkcaldy amid shop closures
She also hopes the shop opening will be a boost to the Lang Toun amid a raft of closures.
“A lot of people asked if this was the right time with bills on the rise, and a lot of high street stores are closing.
“But it is a niche market – it’s one of those things that people are going to need.
“It makes the process so much easier because it’s under one roof and it’s affordable.”


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Ubuntu 12.10, known as Quantal Questzal, will be releasing on 18 October 2012, but what can we expect from the forthcoming version?
Which ADSL ISP do you respect the most?
MTN South Africa CEO Ahmad Farroukh recently resigned after 11 months on the job – here is how the leadership of the company has changed over the last decade.
Samsung and BlackBerry have announced the first results of a partnership designed to provide secure Android smartphones for enterprise users.
If you are serious about privacy and anonymity online, Rhino Security Labs’ ProxyHam allows users to anonymously connect to a public Wi-Fi network from 4km away.
A launch window and recommended retail price for the South African launch of the GoPro Hero4 Session has been announced.

domain: news


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It appears that Sony is now giving gamers a chance to rent games from the PlayStation Store now.
The PSN received an update earlier this week and it looks like game rentals came with it. MP1ST saw a game rental option when they were browsing for Catherine on the PSN. There are options to rent for one day, seven days or even 30 days.
It seems as if the rental option is a part of the PlayStation Now service.
This option has been found for the North American PSN only at the moment. Hopefully it will roll out for other countries soon as well.


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WeedLife News Network
Ohio Is Having Trouble Finding Producers for Cannabis Edibles Market - Cannabis News
It appears Ohio is having some difficulty scrounging up enough reputable cannabis companies to produce a variety of pot products for the state’s medical marijuana program.
'Historic' day for medical marijuana in Pennsylvania as 'flower' goes on sale - Cannabis News
“Dry leaf” marijuana went on sale Wednesday morning at 16 dispensaries across the state. Additional dispensaries will begin stocking it over the next week.
New York: Manhattan DA announces end of 'needless criminalization of pot smoking' - Cannabis News
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance on Tuesday unveiled a new policy ending almost all prosecution of marijuana possession and smoking.


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We’re moving our factory.
We’re moving our factory this week. Overseas? No way! We’re moving to a larger location just two miles south of where we’ve been in Seattle. It’s brighter, has better parking for both our staff and visitors, and our new Factory Showroom/Retail Store will be twice the size of our previous store. The extra space means we can fit more sewing machines and fabric (more custom colors coming soon) and hire more staff for our factory (less backordered items . . at least for a while.)
We’re excited about our move and can’t wait to invite all of you to visit our new space. Moving our entire operation is complicated: Shipping and Customer Service will be closed on Friday, January 21st and we will spend the weekend moving and setting up. All orders received after 12:30pm on Thursday, January 20th will be shipped on Monday, January 24th when we reopen. The new Seattle Factory Showroom/Retail Store will open later in February or March.
Expect photos early next week of our new factory space.
We posted a very early heads-up on our March 1st, 2019 (roughly 6%) price increase in the Forums along with news of Shop Bags in 210d ballistic nylon.
Ben Brooks has published a review of Nik’s Minimalist Wallets and @everydaycommentary posted about his every day carry step up (hint: it includes a Minimalist Wallet!)
Our 2018 Holiday Schedule is up. Check it out for important shipping deadlines and our holiday hours. P.S. Our Seattle Factory Showroom will be open the rare Saturday on December 8th from 10:00am until 2:00pm Pacific Time.
Subscribe: Blog Posts
You’ll receive an email every time we publish a new blog post. That’s about 3-4 times a week.


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Despite their attempts, Apple failed to persuade a judge to dismiss a class action lawsuit brought against it in relation to the flawed “butterfly” keyboard included in some of their laptops.
The lawsuit, filed in may of 2018, ensures that the design of the keyboard launched with laptops MacBook and MacBook Pro from 2015 (this does not include the MacBook Air with the same problem) allowed the dust and the trash will be accommodated under the keys, causing you to stay stuck or to stop working completely.
Although many keyboards can experience similar problems with the time, it has been said that the Apple had a faulty design inherent that resulted in a higher rate of problems, and this was what led to the court action.
District judge Edward Davila of San Jose, California, was the one who took the decision to proceed with the suit, which also accuses the company of not being reimbursed fully to its customers for the costs of the repairs. Apple launched the “butterfly” keyboard in 2015 as part of its efforts to make the device as thin as possible.
In response to the many complaints, Apple launched a special website to show users the way to resolve the problem by holding the laptop at an angle of 75 degrees before spraying the keyboard with compressed air. As a way to vent their frustrations, an annoying user even wrote a song about the particular.
In 2018, the company gave up on a program of repairs for the laptops MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are affected. The program is still in effect, but the keyboards are defective are to be replaced by one that includes a similar mechanism and that, therefore, could present the same failures. Such a situation was also included in the above-mentioned demand.
Recommendations of the editor


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Shares of Under Armour (UA) sank about 5% in Thursday morning trading after the athletic apparel maker issued disappointing guidance.
Despite posting a first-quarter profit up 70% over last year on revenue that jumped 36%, UA shares tumbled after the CFO Brad Dickerson told participants in a conference call that UA didn’t “expect the three primary drivers of our positive performers during the first quarter to carry forward into the current period,” Forbes noted.
UA expects full-year revenue of between $2.88 billion and $2.91 billion, an gain of between 24% and 25% over last year. However, some Wall Street analysts were looking for more optimistic guidance, especially given the first quarter’s results.
For the first quarter, UA reported earnings of $14 million. EPS came in at 6 cents, beating analysts who had predicted 4 cents. UA said it generated revenue of $642 million, compared to $472 million in the prior-year period. That also topped Wall Street predictions by about $45 million.
On Wednesday, Under Armour stock closed at $54.44 per share.
More Stocks in the News:
- CAT: Caterpillar Stock Jumps on Forecast, Profits
- SVU: SuperValu Stock Soars on Earnings Beat
- PG: Procter & Gamble Stock Ticks Lower on Revenue Miss


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just the Round-Up - The week in drinks
The week in drinks
The top ten stories published on just-drinks last week:
Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) says it expects its first-half earnings to fall by around 20%, but full-year profits should recover to mid single-digits.
Minimum pricing is likely to cause more problems than it will fix by increasing the size of the UK's black market, the author of a new report has warned.
The US spirits market is seeing a return to price/mix growth helped by premiumisation and is expected to see volume gains of around 3.5% in fiscal 2012, according to an analyst.
C&C Group has agreed a deal to acquire US-based craft cider producer Vermont Hard Cider Company.
Monster Beverage Corp is facing a potential crisis after filings released by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cited its energy drinks in the deaths of five people in the country since 2007.
Anheuser-Busch InBev looks set to launch new stronger 'black' variants of five of its established lager brands in the US.
Ongoing travails in Western Europe, in Spain in particular, could hit Heineken's earnings in 2013, an analyst has warned.
Fears of a slowdown in Asia will be reinforced by Pernod Ricard's "cautious" noises on the region, an analyst has warned.
The new head of Bruichladdich Distillery has said that the Scotch producer accepted Remy Cointreau's takeover bid because the French firm did not have a presence in whisky and would not tell the Scotch firm how to operate.
E&J Gallo has acquired the rights to vodka brand Shakers, the company has confirmed to just-drinks.
In this month's management briefing, Ben Cooper looks at the alcoholic drinks industry's attempts to reduce alcohol harm and promote responsible consumption. Part one of this four-part briefing consid...
The fourth and final part of this month's management briefing sees Ben Cooper consider how the future looks for the drinks industry's attempts to deal with alcohol harm and responsible consumption....
- Is Brown-Forman at the end of the SoCo road?
- Is time right for TWE to move for Diageo's wines?
- Is Brown-Forman doing a Jack Daniel's in Ireland?
- Will a sexed-up SABMiller tempt AB InBev?
- AB InBev, SABMiller - Here's what'll happen next
- AB InBev makes formal offer for SABMiller
- Diageo secures Xerox Corp CFO as finance head
- Tesco pulls several Carlsberg SKUs in UK
- Former Pernod Ricard exec joins Wakefield Wines
- Diageo makes US$780.5m beer deal with Heineken
- The IWSR Duty Free/Travel Retail Summary Report 2015
- Future growth opportunities for global spirits
- Global gin insights - market data, product innovation and consumer trends research
- Global Scotch whisky insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends research


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Food giants hogging the High Street
SHOPPERS spend 33p out of every £1 in Britain's big supermarket chains, up from 30p in 2002, according to grocery research group IGD.
The food giants have increased their influence over the consumer purse by branching out into electrical goods, books and music.
The IGD says £77.9bn out of the £115bn spent on grocery retailing goes to the top nine chains including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury and Morrison.
Grocery retailing accounts for 49% of all retail spending. It is expected to grow by 2.7% to £118.1bn by the end of this year.
Retail sales in July were up 4.3% on last year and rose 1.8% on like-for-like basis, said the British Retail Consortium.
This shows a slowdown from last month. Poor weather hit sales of swimwear and summer clothes and interest rate rises are starting to bite.
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- Mercedes releases footage of new EQS electric vehicle


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Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
German automotive engineering giant Bosch has issued a warning to automakers looking to go all-in on the EV revolution. With natural gas prices rising, the company warns of relying on one fuel source. “In the automotive industry, we should use this occasion to ask ourselves what we can do if there should ever be too few battery cells,” said Bosch’s head of mobility to Stuttgarter Zeitung.
The new 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance is a C-Class super sedan, unlike the ones before it. That’s because the number of cylinders has been halved from the previous generation, but it gains an electric turbocharger, a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, all-wheel drive, and four-wheel steering. The new super sedan delivers 671 hp (680 PS) and 752 lb-ft (1,020 Nm), putting it firmly on par with models from a class above, such as the 617-hp BMW M5 Competition. Zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes 3.4 seconds (down from 4.0 seconds for the old C63 S), and the 155 mph (250 km/h) top speed can be raised to 170 mph (280 km/h).
Next up in Dodge’s “Last Call” series of special editions as an ode to the ICE is the Black Ghost. Featuring 807 hp (602 kW/818 PS) and limited to just 300 examples, the car is based on the 1970 Dodge Challenger RT SE of the same name, a legend amongst street racing circles for its domination and quick getaways into the night.
The “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) Beta program is being expanded to a further 60,000 Tesla owners in the U.S. and Canada. It will bring the total number of owners granted access to 160,000. Version 10.69.2.2. also brings new updates such as ‘deep lane guidance’ and a reduction in false slowdowns near crosswalks.
Much like the country’s phone makers, Chinese car manufacturers are already offering beefy recharge times. The XPeng G9 so far takes the EV SUV crown, with 800V charging technology for a 10–80% charge in a mere 15 minutes according to the manufacturer. Six different variants will be available, and rear-wheel drive models will have an electric motor that produces 308 hp (230 kW / 313 PS) and 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) of torque. Models equipped with the Standard battery can travel 354 miles (570 km) in the CLTC cycle, while the Long Range variant increases that distance to 436 miles (702 km).
AEHRA, an Italian startup that wants to be an “ultra-premium car and EV mobility brand,” has teased its first production vehicle. The model will be an SUV, with a short bonnet, a sculpted body, a coupe-style greenhouse, and a sleek roofline. Also seen in the teasers are the lighting signatures at the front and back, while it features four gullwing doors.
What Else Is Making The News
Ted Lasso Characters Added To Fifa 23
Characters from the Apple TV comedy Ted Lasso were unveiled to be a part of the upcoming Fifa 23 game, as is the fictional AFC Richmond football club. The Apple TV show’s creator and star Jason Sudeikis said the move was a “dream come true,” reports the BBC.
New York Attorney General Sues Donald Trump
The New York Attorney General is suing Donald Trump and three of his children for fraud spanning over a decade. The lawsuit alleges that the financial fraud touched all aspects of Trump’s businesses by inflating the values of properties to enrich himself.


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FourKites doubles its European customers and records 35% carrier network growth
You can read this article in 3 minutes
FourKites, one of the world’s leading real-time supply chain visibility platforms, has revealed key figures that illustrate the company's growth in the European market.
In 2021, the company saw triple-digit growth in total shipments worldwide; this drove 50% growth in new customers across all industries – including Barilla Group, Beyond Meat, Cardinal Health, Haworth, LyondellBasell, McCain Foods, Roehm, Rove Concepts and Yamaha Motors. The company also significantly expanded its carrier network and extended real-time visibility to more than 2,800 ports and 2.5 million facilities worldwide.
When it comes to Europe, FourKites says it has grown its European carrier network in 2021 across carriers of all sizes, and added “tangible business value” with new offerings that enabled European carriers, forwarders and shippers to connect and collaborate with its supply chain visibility platform.
Among the key figures highlighted by the company are a 148% growth in European shipment volume. The supply chain visibility provider also tracked over 112 billion miles and computed over 5 billion estimated times of arrival globally. Moreover, FourKites’ number of European customers has doubled, while its carrier network has grown by 35%. Finally, the company has overseen a 50% growth in the number of EMEA ports and 118% growth in the number of facilities tracked per month.
Commenting on the company’s 2021 performance in Europe, FourKites founder and CEO, Mathew Elenjickal, said:
“We have seen tremendous growth in Europe over the past year, and we look forward to another year of record-breaking momentum. „Behind each success and innovation are tenacious and passionate employees, customers, and partners who keep redefining what’s possible. I’m grateful to be part of such an awe-inspiring community.”
FourKites’ announcement comes amid strong competition among the world’s leading supply chain visibility companies, who are all competing to attract carriers in Europe.
In the last twelve months, Trans.INFO has spoken to key representatives from a number of the big players in this space, including Jochum Reuter of FourKites, Shippeo Central European CEO Thomas Spieker, Sixfold Executive Director Jesper Bille Bennike, Orkestra SCS founder Heiner Murmann, and Kristian Kaas Mortensen of project44.


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East Budleigh's community-run shop makes a profit
A community shop run by volunteers in a Devon village has reported making a profit just two years after opening.
The shop in East Budleigh, near Budleigh Salterton, operates from the village hall car park.
The shop's managers said a grant from the South West Regional Development Agency had enabled them to stock more products, leading to increased sales.
Residents said the shop provided a "lifeline" during December's snow and ice.
The shop, which is housed in a portable building, cost £30,000 to open in 2008.
John Tresidder, chairman of the shop management committee, said: "The future is very exciting because we have built a business with a sound financial footing at a time when many people are losing local shops which cannot compete with the supermarkets."
Local resident Maureen Smith, who volunteers in the shop, said: "We can see what a vital lifeline our community shop provided during the awful weather, especially to our most vulnerable and elderly residents.
"Whilst we were all but stranded in East Budleigh and Yettington, the shop kept us supplied with all of our essentials.
"I really do not know how people would have coped without it."
Last year the government announced regional development agencies were to be scrapped and replaced with Local Enterprise Partnerships.


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Recently, BMW has unveiled the Hydrogen7 model and the X6 EfficientDynamics hybrid concept, but now the head of its clean-energy technology division has revealed that electric powertrains are also being investigated.
In an interview with iDrive , Jochen Schmalholz, told reporters that hydrogen fueled cars won’t be around for another 15-20 years. The biggest problem is not the technology but the lack of infrastructure. At present there are only five liquid-hydrogen refueling stations in the entire world, one in the U.S. and four in Germany, and this is the biggest hurdle to the hydrogen car, Schmalholz explained. While I acknowledge his points, I also have to point out that building hydrogen refueling stations wouldn't be such a difficult task. As long as they're profitable, the entrepreneurs will have no problem shelling money out for such investments.
In Mr. Schmalholz opinion, the temporary solution is to switch to all electric cars. He says that BMW engineers are working on an electric vehicle but there are no production plans in place yet.”We will only bring this if it makes sense,” he says. “At the moment we are not really convinced it will work for BMW. But if it makes commercial sense and it makes sense to our customers, then we will do it.” You see? It's all about profitability, as I have mentioned above with the hydrogen stations.
Bottom line is that it will be interesting to see a BMW electric car and it is even more interesting to see if they could keep up the same performance as the regular diesel and gas powered models.


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Dubbed the iriver Story HD
, Google has decided to enter the market of eReaders with a Kindle look-alike, reports Mashable
. This will supplement their online bookstore Google eBooks, which previously had the user download the ebook online from a computer and then upload the ebook to an eReader. Users can now browse Google eBooks on the iriver Story HD.
In much the same fashion as the Kindle, the iriver Story also seems to use a similar "eink" technology which makes it easier to read in longer bouts, but, takes longer to load websites and other online content.
The iriver Story HD has access to 3 million free ebooks as well as the countless paid ebooks found on Google eBooks, which are accessed via a Wi-Fi connection. Google's ebook project began in December and has been steadily growing, with millions of published works and thousands of major and independent publishers.
Priced the same as the Kindle and Nook, at $139.99, the iriver Story will be made available exclusively to Target on July 17.
Ebooks have grown from a fledgling market to a multimillion dollar industry in little over a year, 2010 Q3 earnings in the United States reached 119.7 million as stated by the International Digital Publishing Forum
and continue to grow steadily.


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In a recent investor meeting, Square announced its plans for the future. Under new president Yoichi Wada, the company will now be focusing on their main business of video games; therefore, funds will not be spent on outside areas, such as movies.
Square will be reproducing a number of its past games for an as yet unspecified system, with Chrono Trigger, Seiken Densetsu, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Parasite Eve having already been confirmed. It remains unclear whether these are simply re-releases or complete remakes. Also, no major new projects will be taking place, other than the Final Fantasy series. However, the series will be expanded by spin-offs, such as sub-series focusing on certain characters in the games, or even sequels.
This fiscal year will be used as both a preparation period for the next year, and an opportunity to change the production line of the company, as well as other factors.


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OnePlus has announced a new partnership with automaker McLaren, details of which will unfold in India on December 12. The partnership incorporates both McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing, the legendary Formula 1 team.
“Joining forces will enable OnePlus and McLaren to unlock a new long-term technology partnership,” according to the OnePlus statement which leans heavily on the ‘Speed’ factor. There’s some talk about the new OnePlus 6T and its Screen Unlock and fast charging support, but that’s about it in terms of concrete details.
There’s a video released by OnePlus to announce the partnership. And there are more than one hint about a limited edition variant of the 6T.
A big hint that a new limited edition 6T phone is coming is the URL for the official micro-site for the partnership, which ends in ‘mclaren-6T’. OnePlus mentions McLaren’s achievements including how it made the first carbon fiber monocoque for F1 cars. Could this be hinting at a carbon-fiber back for the 6T?
Indeed, OnePlus goes on to talk about its past limited edition phones. “In 2017, OnePlus teamed up with Parisian retailer Colette to produce the OnePlus 3T x Colette 20th Anniversary Edition – an all-black device pushing the boundaries of technology and fashion. And, combining technology, art and fashion, OnePlus worked with Jean-Charles de Castelbajac to produce the OnePlus 5 x JCC+Limited Edition “Callection” of colourful gear and technology.”
The OnePlus 6 Marvel Avengers Limited Edition as well as the OnePlus 5T Star Wars Limited Edition also got a mention. So it’s not a stretch to think it could be a limited edition McLaren-branded OnePlus 6T.


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ONLY ON AUGUSTA - Event brings community together for festive family fun.
Sometimes, shopping without the kids is a must for parents, but Shelly Walker, mom of five-year-old twins, said the Holiday Open House is one shopping event that kids enjoy at least as much as their parents do. “We go to everything they do on Augusta Road, but definitely this one,” said Walker, who lives just off Augusta. “My kids love it.” The Walker children, John and Caroline, have attended every year since they were babies, and now they are old enough to take in all of the sights, sounds and tastes that make the holidays special. Their favorite activity? No surprise here - it’s at Phil Hyman Photography, where
Santa Claus himself is on hand to read a special holiday story. “It’s a great early chance to visit Santa,” Walker said. “It gets them excited about the holidays.” This year, Santa will be at Phil Hyman Photography at 1:30, and kids who visit The Grey Goose afterward will receive a ticket for a free Chocolate Moose cupcake. Santa will also be visiting Capers Place and Augusta Commons, so this is a great chance to meet the man in red. John and Caroline are also big fans of the face painting and balloons. “That’s at the top of their list,” Walker said. Walker appreciates that the event helps get kids into the spirit of giving, not just receiving, by collecting donations that will be distributed to Meals on Wheels and The Samaritan House. The kids are also able to select special gifts for family and friends, at a discount, while their parents support local, independent businesses. “Last year, they picked out gifts for each other, and they were so excited,” she said. “The stores really make it easy for parents to bring their kids, and that’s important.” More than anything, it’s the social aspect that brings families like the Walkers back year after year. “It’s the sense of community,” she said. “You see your friends, and you see your friends’ children. Everyone has hectic schedules, so it can be hard to connect. It’s a great way to see people and connect with people you haven’t seen in a while. “To be able to experience a festive event with the kids, and also to be able to shop - it’s really a treat.”
See what is happening this year at Holiday Open House here http://onlyonaugusta.com/holidays


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Hilton has signed a franchise agreement with Panchshil Hotels for a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel.
DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad, scheduled to open in June 2013, will be the company’s first hotel in Pune, the second largest urban centre in the state of Maharashtra and the eighth largest in India. The hotel will DoubleTree by Hilton’s fourth hotel in the country.
“The launch of DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad will be another significant step in our growth strategy in India as it will represent our entry into Pune,” said Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide. “Following on from two great years of growth, when we grew our portfolio to 12 hotels and resorts, we are expanding rapidly in the country and anticipate increasing our presence to 17 hotels by the end of this year.”
DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad is centrally located in Chinchwad which, along with its neighbouring suburb of Pimpri, forms one of India’s largest industrial hubs.
Situated northwest of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad houses more than 50 large and 630 medium-sized companies and 7,000 small manufacturing units including Premier Limited, Mahindra Navistar, Bajaj Auto, TATA Motors, Kinetic Engineering, Force Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Thermax, Forbes-Marshall and ThyssenKrupp.
The location of the DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad will allow excellent connectivity to the Mumbai-Pune National and Express highways and the Pune city centre, airport and railway station. The hotel will also be easily accessible to the Pune-Nashik highway, the arterial road connecting the two cities.
DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad will offer 115 guestrooms that will feature internet access, LCD televisions, electronic safes, refrigerated private bars and tea and coffee making facilities.
Other facilities at the hotel include three dining outlets, an Executive Lounge, 24-hour business and fitness centres, outdoor rooftop pool and 2,800 square feet of meetings and events space.
John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “With the launch of our fourth hotel in India, we will be well on our way to doubling our network in the country this year. Presently, we have two hotels in Delhi NCR, at Gurgaon and Mayur Vihar, and a resort in Goa. We will open an all-suite hotel in Bangalore and a resort in Jaipur later this year.”


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Located in downtown Laval, Centropolis has welcomed this new 6-storey Class A office building thanks to a 30 M$ investment from Ivanhoé Cambridge. This building was an important development project rising in this area and has reinforced Centropolis’ goal of becoming a multifunctionnal service center. Such shopping centre was built in compliance with the highest contruction industry standards. Epsylon was proud to be part of this initiative as our company put measures in place in order to make sure that products offered, including curtain walls, complied with socially responsible standards.
This new building of the Centropolis is certified LEED Gold.


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VIDEO: NYK Super Eco Ship 2030
- Business & Finance
NYK Group is targeting the achievement of “zero emissions” by 2050 and has designed the concept ship NYK Super Eco Ship 2030 as a milestone for 2030.
The idea behind the concept is not only to make it clear what the industry needs to develop technically in the long term, but also to lead the development of shipping operations, including cargo handling and traffic infrastructure.
The NYK has developed NYK Super Eco Ship 2030 in collaboration with Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI), Elomatic, a marine consulting company from Finland, and Garroni Progetti S.r.l., a ship designer from Italy.


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Tesla's modular manufacturing system and potential shift towards building their own Robo taxis could revolutionize the transportation industry and dominate the market
Questions to inspire discussion
What is Tesla's new compact car designed for?
—Tesla's new compact car is designed for quick and low-cost production, with the potential to ramp up faster than any vehicle in history.
What could Tesla potentially offer as part of their plan to make their vehicles affordable?
—Tesla could potentially offer a monthly subscription for a brand new Tesla compact, including insurance, electricity, and maintenance, targeting the mentality of the typical car buyer focused on monthly payments.
What is the potential impact of autonomy in Tesla vehicles?
—Autonomy in Tesla vehicles could potentially generate income for owners, leading to a shift towards monthly subscriptions and the eventual decline of the traditional automotive industry.
What is the speaker's view on the progress of Tesla's bot technology?
—The speaker expresses confidence in the progress of Tesla's bot technology, acknowledging the possibility of being wrong but emphasizing the rapid advancements and capabilities.
What is the speaker's prediction for legacy auto companies in the future?
—The speaker predicts that legacy auto manufacturers will not survive the decade due to their slow and bureaucratic nature, while Tesla's lead and focus on engineering will make them the dominant force in the future.
- ⏱ The modular manufacturing system for the next gen Tesla is expected to be at least twice as fast to put together as the Model Y, allowing Tesla to make six of these cars for every one vehicle VW could make.
- 📈 The ramp-up of the compact car could happen faster than people realize, and it could quickly eat into the market share of traditional automakers.
- 🚗 Tesla's secret master plan includes allowing their vehicles to "print money" for consumers while they're not using them, making their vehicles more affordable.
- 🚗 Tesla's potential shift towards building their own Robo taxis could revolutionize the transportation industry and spell the end for traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
- 🤔 Tesla's goal is to make their products so good that it's illogical not to buy them, aiming to dominate every category they're in.
- 🤯 It's hard not to be excited about the future of Tesla and the impact it will have once it comes to fruition.
- 🧠 Tesla has effectively transplanted the brain of the car into a humanoid form, and the dexterity and finesse of the hands in the recent demo were "really incredible."
- 🤖 The rapid progress in developing humanoid robots is impressive, with Elon Musk aiming for the robot to be able to thread a needle within a year, showcasing high levels of dexterity.
- 🤯 The level of precision required for making the smallest tweaks in Tesla's technology is absolutely insane.
00:00 🚗 Tesla's new compact car has the potential to outperform competitors, sell millions of units per year, and ramp up production faster than any vehicle in history.
- Tesla's compact car is designed to be produced quickly and at a lower cost, with the potential to ramp up production faster than any vehicle in history.
- Tesla's new compact car could potentially sell millions of units per year, outperforming competitors like Toyota and VW, and ramping up faster than people realize.
- Tesla is likely to minimize the gap between reservations and deliveries for the Next Generation Vehicles to surprise and attract a new audience.
- The speaker expresses confidence in their statements but acknowledges the possibility of being wrong and not knowing what they are talking about.
03:18 🚗 Tesla is focusing on manufacturing efficiency and affordability, potentially offering a subscription model and generating income for owners through autonomy, with the goal of dominating the automotive industry.
- The Tesla compact car will be optimized for speed of manufacturing, cost efficiency, and reliability, targeting the mentality of the typical car buyer focused on monthly payments.
- Tesla could potentially offer a monthly subscription for a brand new Tesla compact including insurance, electricity, and maintenance, as part of their plan to make their vehicles affordable and allow them to generate income for consumers when not in use.
- Autonomy in Tesla vehicles could potentially generate income for owners, leading to a shift towards monthly subscriptions and the eventual decline of the traditional automotive industry.
- Tesla's goal is to make their vehicles so good that it would be illogical not to buy them, and they are dominating every category they are in.
- The Tesla compact car may be released sooner than expected if they can secure the necessary supplies for production.
- The speaker urges viewers to set a reminder to check back in five years to see the outcome, and recommends following "Solving the Money Problem" on social media.
09:00 🚗 Tesla's compact and bot technology is disrupting legacy auto, with the bot's advanced dexterity and finesse making it capable of performing useful labor in automotive factories sooner than expected.
- The disruption of legacy auto by Tesla's compact and bot technology is inevitable and exciting to watch.
- The progress of Tesla's bot has been ahead of expectations, with the dexterity and finesse of the hands making it capable of performing useful labor in automotive factories sooner than people realize.
- Humanoid robots are advancing in their dexterity and sense of touch, allowing them to perform complex tasks with their hands and brains.
11:47 🤖 Tesla is developing advanced robots for their factories and potentially for sale, with mind-blowing progress in technology and precision.
- Tesla is developing robots for their own use in factories, with the goal of eventually selling them to other companies, and they are making significant progress in developing humanoid robots with advanced capabilities.
- The rapid progress in Tesla's technology is mind-blowing, with the level of precision and implications being absolutely insane.
- Improving precision in the physical world is like increasing resolution in a screen, allowing for better performance and capabilities.
14:40 🚀 Tesla's surprise demo update for the bot, Cybertruck, and compact car sets them apart from legacy auto companies, who are lagging in EV plans and risk losing money.
- The surprise demo update for the Tesla bot was a huge leap forward and came out of nowhere, unlike previous announcements like battery day and AI day.
- Tesla's focus on laying the foundation for technological advancements like the Cybertruck, bot, and compact car has set them apart from other companies in the industry.
- Competition is leaving and it's important to not lose too much money.
- The speaker discusses the lack of acceleration in EV plans by legacy auto companies and questions their decision-making and motives.
18:28 🚗 Legacy auto companies like GM prioritize short-term gains over long-term survivability, while Tesla's leader makes tough decisions and stands up to unethical behavior, leading the way in electrification.
- The speaker criticizes GM's short-term focused decisions and predicts a potential bankruptcy due to prioritizing short-term gains over long-term survivability.
- GM's decisions are not in the long-term interest of their shareholders, as they make poor decisions to boost short-term financials and profits.
- Public companies like GM, Stellantis, Mercedes, and BMW are unable to take risks that disrupt their ability to generate cash for investors, unlike Tesla, which faced backlash from investors when not aligning with maximizing shareholder value.
- Tesla has a leader who stands up to unethical behavior, while other companies have followers in a CEO's role who may collude and steal ideas from Tesla.
- Leaders need to make tough decisions, and companies that pander instead of taking necessary action will suffer the consequences.
- Bureaucratic red tape and analysis paralysis delayed legacy auto companies from electrifying, but it was inevitable and they could have easily followed Ford's lead.
24:12 🚗 Legacy auto companies will not survive due to their slow nature, while Tesla's focus on engineering and constant disruption will make them the dominant force in the future.
- Legacy auto manufacturers will not survive the decade due to their slow and bureaucratic nature, while Tesla's lead and focus on engineering will make them the dominant force in the future.
- The process of building a picture is like watching an artist paint, where the initial 20% is unclear but eventually becomes clear, and the remaining 60-80% is like filling in the colors, with the end result being visible to everyone.
- Innovative companies like Tesla constantly disrupt themselves and others, making it difficult for legacy auto companies to keep up.
- The automotive industry has seen little innovation or disruption for a century, but companies need to constantly disrupt themselves to survive, as demonstrated by the example of Google and the impending disruption of traditional search engines by large language models.
- Tesla's success in the future will depend on their ability to maintain aggressive, resourceful, and efficient DNA, constantly disrupting themselves and driving down costs while making vehicles better.
- Tesla is constantly innovating and disrupting themselves to maintain a technical lead and drive down costs, and if they ever become complacent and focus on short-term profits, they are in trouble.
30:21 👍 Tesla and Elon Musk have remained consistent and unchanged over the past year, and the speaker looks forward to continuing their discussions annually.
------------------------------------- 0:31:24 2023-12-23T03:04:56Z


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After failing to keep up with Nintendo's DS juggernaut, Sony promised it would do a better job marketing, and now it appears that push is fully underway with a $30 price cut to the PSP Core Pack, the base system. That brings the PSP's MSRP to $169.99, or $80 less than the system's launch price of two years ago.
According to a press release that went out today, Sony's also modified the pricing structure for the system's software, with "first-party PSP software priced using a new tiered model--$39.99 (premium titles), $29.99 (basic titles), and $19.99 (Greatest Hits titles)." To a certain degree, this pricing isn't really new, but Sony seems to be signaling that there will be more $30 titles available on store shelves in 2007.
For Nintendo fanboys who argue that the price drop is too little, too late for the PSP, don't be so cocky. Today's move pulls the PSP's price tag within $40 of the DS Lite's, and the PSP has an impressive software library (Sony claims it has shipped close to 25 million units worldwide, but that doesn't mean it has sold that many PSPs). Now, if Sony would stop touting the whole UMD movie thing and figure out a way to shorten up load times with a memory buffering system that's similar to the PS3's, it might really give Nintendo a run for its money.
What do you think? Is the PSP a bargain at $169 or should we all wait for it to drop to $149?


text: Previously a trend among celebrities and environmentalists, “buying green” has officially spread to the masses and settled among the average consumer. Mintel research shows that more and more US consumers are prioritizing eco-friendly consumer goods, including more than half of Millennials who say they feel better about themselves when they purchase organic products (Organic Food and Beverage Shoppers US 2015). In line with this growth is the emergence of more nuanced consumer segmentation, where different consumer groups value green products for different reasons. Consumers appear to show a growing sophistication around types of green product claims, eco-friendly labels and the ability to avoid products that “greenwash” – the brand practice of spending time and money claiming to be “green” through advertising and marketing than actually implementing business practices that minimize environmental impact. According to the Mintel report Marketing to the Green Consumer US 2014, the past two years have seen a 6% uptick in consumers who define themselves as super/true green (defined as those who buy green products “almost always” or “regularly”). The number of people in this category grew 6%, to equate to about 93 million Americans. This growth has been mirrored by an almost identical decline in consumers who say they are light green to never green in their purchase behavior. Nearly six in ten US consumers practice ‘green’ behaviors to save money It ain’t easy being green Millennial purchase habits are shaped both by strong eco-friendly ideals combined with an economizing mindset. Accordingly they believe that conserving resources in manufacturing should equate to lower-cost products. Many Millennials came of age during the 2007 recession, which was also a time when hybrid cars and energy-saving light bulbs helped link economic pragmatism and environmental sustainability in the consumer psyche. While 18% of consumers across all age groups are still willing to pay a premium for green products, nearly six in ten US consumers practice ‘green’ behaviors to save money rather than the environment. This sentiment is higher among consumers age 35 and under. As consumers look for tangible green benefits, cost savings is a clearly measurable benefit that is hard for brands to misrepresent. Brands will have to reconcile this changing mindset with products that have historically commanded a price premium. The recent recession and subsequent recovery has changed the consumer criteria for eco-friendly products. While some consumers are willing to pay more for green products, most US consumers believe that green products should come with no compromise in either performance or price. Green claims cause confusion US consumers are confused about green claims. With the growth of “natural” and “botanical” among the top green claims, consumers are looking for concrete attributes that are immune to greenwashing. While the majority of green beauty and personal care claims are not organic, the claim brings a distinct certification that’s less subject to marketing spin. According to the Mintel report, Natural and Organic Personal Care Consumer US 2013, organic claims generate the most positive response from consumers in terms of being perceived as natural. However, brands should be clear in how they interpret and market organic claims while offering as much transparency as possible to shoppers. As eco-friendly product claims become more regulated and tangible to consumers, brands will have an opportunity to grow green portfolios by segmenting consumers across different demographic groups, who seek out green claims for different reasons (ie health, sustainability, cost). You might also be interested in: No related posts.


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Growing numbers of entrepreneurs are relying on credit cards to finance their businesses.
That's according to new research which suggests that more than three quarters of entrepreneurs and small businesses are hoping to secure funds in 2010 and 59 per cent said they expected this to be difficult.
As a result, one in four said that they planned to use credit cards in order to provide the funding.
Nevertheless, the Entrepreneurs Organisation and Investec study found that 72 per cent of those polled saw the current economic conditions as an opportunity rather than a threat.
That puts the responsibility back onto the banks to start lending to small businesses again, particularly with average interest rates on credit cards at record levels.
Nevertheless, the poll follows figures showing that overall demand for finance from small businesses at the end of 2009 was down 25 per cent from its 2008 high.


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Table of Contents
- The Controversy Surrounding the Brandybilly Leaked OnlyFans Content
- The Rise of OnlyFans
- The Brandybilly Leaked OnlyFans Content
- The Impact on OnlyFans
- The Broader Implications
- 1. How can content creators protect their content on platforms like OnlyFans?
- 2. What can platforms like OnlyFans do to enhance security?
- 3. How can subscribers support content creators affected by leaked content?
- 4. Are there legal consequences for leaking someone’s OnlyFans content?
- 5. What lessons can be learned from the Brandybilly leaked OnlyFans content incident?
OnlyFans, a popular subscription-based platform that allows content creators to monetize their work, has gained significant attention in recent years. However, with the rise of leaked content, privacy concerns have become a major issue for both creators and subscribers. One such controversy involves the leaked content of Brandybilly, a well-known OnlyFans creator. In this article, we will explore the Brandybilly leaked OnlyFans content, its impact on the platform, and the broader implications for content creators and subscribers.
The Rise of OnlyFans
OnlyFans, launched in 2016, has become a prominent platform for creators to share exclusive content with their subscribers. Initially popular among adult entertainers, the platform has expanded to include various genres, such as fitness, cooking, and music. OnlyFans allows creators to set their own subscription prices and earn revenue through tips and pay-per-view content.
With its user-friendly interface and the potential for substantial earnings, OnlyFans has attracted millions of content creators worldwide. Many individuals have found financial independence and success through the platform, leveraging their unique skills and talents to build a loyal subscriber base.
The Brandybilly Leaked OnlyFans Content
Brandybilly, a prominent content creator on OnlyFans, recently faced a significant privacy breach when explicit content from her account was leaked online. This incident not only violated Brandybilly’s privacy but also raised concerns about the security of content on the platform.
Brandybilly had built a substantial following on OnlyFans, with thousands of subscribers who paid a monthly fee to access her exclusive content. However, the leaked content became freely available on various websites, undermining the value of her subscription-based model.
The leaked content not only affected Brandybilly’s earnings but also had a profound impact on her mental health and personal life. The violation of her privacy caused immense distress and highlighted the vulnerability of content creators on platforms like OnlyFans.
The Impact on OnlyFans
The Brandybilly leaked OnlyFans content incident has had significant repercussions for the platform as a whole. It has raised questions about the security measures in place to protect creators’ content and the trustworthiness of the platform itself.
Many content creators on OnlyFans rely on the platform as their primary source of income. The leaked content not only undermines their earnings but also erodes the trust between creators and subscribers. This breach of trust can lead to a decline in subscribers and ultimately impact the financial stability of content creators.
Furthermore, the leaked content has also prompted discussions about the need for stricter regulations and policies on platforms like OnlyFans. While the platform has guidelines in place to prevent the sharing of explicit content without consent, the incident involving Brandybilly highlights the need for more robust security measures.
The Broader Implications
The Brandybilly leaked OnlyFans content incident has broader implications for content creators and subscribers across various platforms. It highlights the importance of privacy and the potential risks associated with sharing explicit content online.
Content creators must be cautious when choosing platforms to monetize their work. They should thoroughly research the platform’s security measures and privacy policies to ensure their content remains protected. Additionally, creators should consider diversifying their income streams to mitigate the financial impact of potential leaks or breaches.
Subscribers, on the other hand, should be mindful of the potential consequences of consuming leaked content. By actively seeking and sharing leaked content, subscribers contribute to the violation of creators’ privacy and perpetuate a harmful cycle.
1. How can content creators protect their content on platforms like OnlyFans?
Content creators can take several steps to protect their content on platforms like OnlyFans:
- Enable two-factor authentication to secure their account.
- Watermark their content to discourage unauthorized sharing.
- Regularly monitor their account for any suspicious activity.
- Read and understand the platform’s privacy policies and terms of service.
2. What can platforms like OnlyFans do to enhance security?
Platforms like OnlyFans can enhance security by:
- Implementing stricter verification processes for subscribers.
- Investing in robust encryption technologies to protect content.
- Regularly auditing their security measures and addressing any vulnerabilities.
- Providing clear guidelines and support for content creators in case of privacy breaches.
3. How can subscribers support content creators affected by leaked content?
Subscribers can support content creators affected by leaked content by:
- Reporting any instances of leaked content to the platform.
- Engaging with the creator’s official content and discouraging the consumption of leaked material.
- Providing emotional support and understanding during challenging times.
- Encouraging others to respect creators’ privacy and intellectual property rights.
4. Are there legal consequences for leaking someone’s OnlyFans content?
Leaking someone’s OnlyFans content without their consent can have legal consequences, as it violates their privacy and intellectual property rights. Depending on the jurisdiction, individuals involved in leaking content may face civil lawsuits and criminal charges.
5. What lessons can be learned from the Brandybilly leaked OnlyFans content incident?
The Brandybilly leaked OnlyFans content incident highlights the importance of:
- Privacy protection for content creators.
- Robust security measures on platforms like OnlyFans.
- Building trust between creators and subscribers.
- Diversifying income streams to mitigate potential financial impacts.
The Brandybilly leaked OnlyFans content incident serves as a stark reminder of the privacy risks content creators face on platforms like OnlyFans. It underscores the need for enhanced security measures, stricter regulations, and increased awareness among both creators and subscribers. By prioritizing privacy and taking proactive steps to protect content, creators can safeguard their work and maintain the trust of their subscribers. Platforms like OnlyFans must also take responsibility for ensuring the security and privacy of their users, implementing robust measures to prevent leaks and breaches. Ultimately, the Brandybilly incident should serve as a catalyst for positive change within the industry, fostering a safer and more secure environment for content creators and subscribers alike.


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Boy Genius Report is reporting that half of BlackBerry Z10 sales in Canada and a third of UK sales are users jumping the ship from other platforms—most notably Android and iOS. According to the site, some high-level BlackBerry executives have already confirmed Canada's numbers internally, though BlackBerry has not officially commented on the matter.
Last month, CIBC analyst Todd Coupland said that half of all preregistration sales for the Z10 in Canada came not from BlackBerry faithful but from those who did not own a BlackBerry device. However, there was still a bit of trepidation about whether those users would stick with it after the launch.
Does this mean that BlackBerry has won over users from other platforms? Not exactly. Even if 50 percent of buyers are BlackBerry converts, it still doesn't confirm the number of handsets that have been sold, and the best indication of the platform's success won't come until it goes on sale in the US. BlackBerry has apparently ramped up production to keep up with handset demand, and it has released its first software update, though CEO Thorsten Heins told the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that the company did not want to publish sales figures until it has "observed the trend in sales."
There were also rumblings that the sales of the BlackBerry Z10 in both the UK and Canada had apparently been grossly overestimated and there are still no official sales numbers to speak of. Deutsche Bank's Brian Modoff had surveyed 60 participating carriers and discovered that some of the locations in Canada were "sold out" of handsets because they didn't have that large of an inventory to begin with, and stores in the UK were not sold out of units as had been speculated.


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Disrupt, disrupt, disrupt
By Stephen Page, CEO, Faber & Faber
In 2006 Tom Coates wrote the following: “My sense of these media organizations that use the argument of incredibly rapid technology change is that they’re screaming that they’re being pursued by a snail and yet they cannot get away! ‘The snail! The snail!’, they cry. ‘How can we possibly escape!”
7 years on you’d have to say that the industry has yet to be out run by the snail. Plenty of change has come but you’d be hard-pressed to make the case of widespread failure, or failure by publishers to find opportunity in the new market. So have we outrun the snail?
In the USA e-book growth has slowed dramatically, e-reader sales seem to be slowing – witness the poor quarter for E-INK the provider of e-ink screens. There was better news of independent bookshop openings in the US last year. In the UK high street book sales grew in August versus last year. So perhaps the snail has stopped moving, we’ve coped with the format shift and all is finding a new equilibrium.
Well, to believe that will result in both the failure of our businesses, and also to publishers missing out on a series of thrilling opportunities. We’ve travelled a long way in the last decade, and have begun to transform our business and the industry. The key to succeeding in what comes next is to continue to disrupt our own businesses and to open our minds to the opportunities of disruption that will be done to us. It feels to me as if the burning platform for change is smoldering and rather than rest, it is our job to blow on the embers and ignite the next inferno of change.
At Faber we found success in our digital publishing by separating it from the rest of the business, as we did with our creative writing and services businesses. Some degree of separation is necessary to allow real challenge, different P&Ls and investment models, and also to keep the teams small and empowered. What’s noticeable about our recent digital conversation is that it has become normal, part of what we are. That sounds good, but actually it is only good if there are small teams free to go off again and break rules afresh. The seduction of “normal” is profound but as new initiatives become normal so we have to challenge ourselves again to disrupt and transform. And this does not only apply to the new, we also have to continue to transform our existing publishing business at the same time, from within.
Our own disruption will have to have an eye to the outside disruption: subscription models, social marketing platforms, global audiences, e-lending, and new technologies and gadgets – anyone publishing for the Galaxy Gear Smart watch yet?
The snail of technological change has not outrun or eaten publishing yet. It will though if we fail to continue to be our own greatest challengers and become the prime disrupters in our market. Many commentators expected us to fail, but we haven’t not least because it is possible to cope. We have to continue to cope, not rest or pause by the roadside. The future is full of possibility and opportunity and difficulty, but the excuse of technological change that is too fast is not credible. After all, how embarrassing would it be to be outrun by a snail?
© Stephen Page, September 2013


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Franchise Industry News & Announcements
Stay in tune with the franchise industry by keeping tabs on all your concepts of interest. We have hundreds of franchises sending us their latest news daily. Our daily news feed covers franchise expansions, financial reports, mergers & acquisitions, personnel changes, general announcements, conferences, product announcements, media coverage, and strategic alliances.
Noodles & Company (Nasdaq:NDLS) today announced financial results for its second quarter ended July 3, 2018.
The Comfort hotel brand, franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), is expanding in thriving U.S. markets this year amidst its transformation.
Century 21 Real Estate LLC, franchisor of the iconic CENTURY 21 brand, today announced it has received global recognition for its recent brand reinvention.
El Pollo Loco, Inc. (“El Pollo Loco” or “Company”) (Nasdaq:LOCO), the nation's leading fire-grilled chicken chain, opened its newest restaurant in West Hills, CA.
Domino's Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the largest pizza company in the world based on global retail sales, has named Tom Curtis as its new executive vice president of Team USA.
Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) announced that its Board of Directors has approved the adoption of a limited duration stockholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”).
Annually in various locations, Learning Express Toys hosts a franchise-wide Convention.
Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs, opened in Buda on July 18.
Children’s Orchard and NTY Clothing Exchange, NTY Franchise Company’s resale clothing franchise brands aimed at children, teenagers and young adults, will celebrate the grand opening of their new stores July 26th through the 29th.
Valpak, a leader in direct mail and digital marketing, announced today that Aaron Rockwell has been named Sales Director of Valpak of Los Angeles.
The demand for flexible/coworking workspaces continues to rise, and in the state of Texas, Venture X is preparing to meet that need.
When employees are engaged, they are happier, produce better results and are more mindful of safety procedures.
Valpak, a leader in direct mail and digital marketing, announced today that Joe Seemiller has been named Sales Director of Valpak of Greater St. Louis and Valpak of Omaha.
- Jul 20th, 2018
- By: Valpak
Modern Acupuncture™, the first franchise to make the natural health and cosmetic benefits of acupuncture available to people in an accessible and affordable delivery, is now open in Renton.
Boca Raton-based I ♥ Mac & Cheese, a fast-casual cheese bar, will be opening new locations in Davie and Jupiter, FL.
Pieology is proud to announce the official launch of the Pie Life Rewards App. Fans of the fast-casual pizza brand can now explore and experience Pieology right at their fingertips.
On May 25 - Venture X completed Phase One and Two of expanding the second floor of its facility located at 18911 Hardy Oak Blvd, San Antonio, TX.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (“El Pollo Loco”) (NASDAQ:LOCO) announced that it will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2018 financial results on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Valvoline Inc. - a leading worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services - announced the opening of a new Valvoline™ Express Care™ location in Harrisburg, Illinois.
Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY) will release its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, on Friday, August 3, prior to the company's webcast scheduled for 8:30 a.m. (EDT) on the same day.
ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. announced preliminary revenue, net income, Adjusted net income(1) and Adjusted EBITDA(2) for the second-quarter 2018 financial results and provided an update to full-year 2018 outlook.
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Medifast, Inc. (NYSE: MED) will announce financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 on Thursday, August 2, 2018, after market close.
Liberty Tax is reminding veterans that those who suffered career-ending combat-related injuries may be eligible for federal income tax refunds under the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act.
Sally Miller, 72, of Dewitt, MI won the nationally recognized Swanson Award through SilverSneakers.
Massage Envy, the leader in professional massage and skin care, is revolutionizing massage services with the introduction of CyMe™ Boost.
Domino's Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the largest pizza company in the world based on global retail sales, has named Ms. Patricia E. Lopez and Ms. Corie S. Barry to the Board, effective at the company board meeting July 18.
Realty ONE Group, one of the nation’s fastest-growing franchisors, is pleased to announce their all-inclusive solutions-based technology platform, zONE, has received over 2 million unique impressions in 2017.
Diversified Restaurant Holdings, Inc. announced that it and a certain selling stockholder intend to offer and sell approximately $6.0 million of shares of its common stock in an underwritten registered public offering.
Scooter’s Coffee, the Midwest-based coffee franchise that has experienced tremendous nationwide growth over the past year, announced that it has hired Bill Black as Chief Marketing Officer.
Burger lovers in Lodi have a new reason to celebrate when The Habit Burger Grill (Nasdaq: HABT) opens a new restaurant on Wednesday, July 18 at 10:30am.


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Before the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed officially kicks off tomorrow, the media got a sort of press day to preview some of the cars on display at this year’s event. This being a preview day, there are a few empty spots for cars that haven’t made it yet. But even so, the footage we have here has more than enough super cars in it to whet your appetite.
In this video Shmee150 gives you a quick tour of the 2014 Goodwood FoS Supercar Paddock where the best and brightest of the world’s supercars and sports cars will be on display during the event:
Some of the most important cars of the Moving Motor Show include Koenigsegg One:1, Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 918 Spyder, and McLaren P1. There is also the latest Bentley and Rolls-Royce models, the latest creations of boutique car makers like Arash, Ginetta and Noble, plus cars with significant accomplishments such as the Nismo GT-R or the Mercedes SLS GT3.


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With significant adoption of social networks by baby boomers and with gene x reaching middle age, we now have a broad population that is open to using the Internet as a way to grieve and remember loved ones after death. Entrepreneurs have seen this opportunity and as a result we have seen explosive growth in the online memorials industry.
In addition to the 17 online memorial sites that we currently have on our list of digital legacy services, we are now adding ForeverMissed, Solium, People 2 Remember, Stayalive, Memory-Of.com, and Planned Departure.
We’ve seen Facebook being used as a social grieving space for several years already. Profiles of the deceased are routinely transformed into online memorials. But the memorialization process locks the profile and disables the ability to add new “friends.” As a result we’ve seen the creation of memorial “pages” on Facebook. A simple search for “R.I.P” on Facebook shows that people are creating these pages so anyone can participate.
Dedicated online memorial websites go a step further than Facebook. They create a place whose declared purpose is to connect with others and grieve socially. This eliminates the confusion that people experience when encountering death in a vibrantly social place like Facebook.
It is uncertain how sustainable all this growth is. What we are probably seeing is an initial growth explosion of a new industry. My guess is that we’ll see consolidation and drop off of companies in the coming years. But for the time being, the online memorial rush is in full swing.
Photo by Herry Lawford


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ASIA – On Friday, YouTube Kids made an announcement that new measures have been installed for parents if they find kids watching inappropriate videos at home even by mistake.
Parents will now be able to report inappropriate videos to Youtube which will then be reviewed by a policy team.
If the user is signed in while reporting a video, it will also be blocked from the YouTube Kids app, said the company in a statement.
Parents will also be able to customise the contents in the YouTube Kids app in selected countries by signing into the application and blocking videos or channels they do not wish their children to watch.
Users will also be able to create a profile for each kid and choose between younger or older content levels to manage the types of videos they will be able to watch. Kid profiles work across all different devices.
Should parents wish to restrict their children’s experiences to a more limited set of content, they can simply turn off Search using the parental settings.
“Regardless of the status of Search in your app, there is a chance that your child will find content that you don’t want them to watch. If this happens, you can notify YouTube by flagging the video,” said the statement.
With over 800 million learning video views per day , YouTube is currently live in 37 countries.


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Star Princess to follow
Myrmell, Carnival Australia president and president of P&O Cruises Australia, said Pacific Adventure will be the line's first ‘grand class’ ship. She will be joined by grand class sister ship Star Princess at the end of 2021.
Pacific Adventure’s first programme will go on sale next month.
Adults-only Oasis retreat
The 3,100-passenger ship will have a sprawling, child-free Oasis retreat across multiple decks, with sun lounges, spa tubs, a swimming pool and bar.
She will have an expanded range of cabins, including 560 with balconies, and its first five-berth cabins for families.
‘We’re thrilled to have another ship on the horizon that will continue the exciting evolution of our modern Australian cruise product,’ Myrmell said.
‘We have grand plans for Pacific Adventure and we can’t wait to take our guests on unforgettable adventures across Australia and the South Pacific.'


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New Delhi: FMCG major Dabur India is turning to television stars for endorsing homecare brands as it bids to make its products a common household name.
The company has signed up Sakshi Tanwar, better known as ‘Parvati’ in the popular television soap opera Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki as brand ambassador for its toilet cleaner ‘Sanifresh Shine’.
Dabur already has India’s favourite tele-bahu Smriti Irani, of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi fame, for endorsing its recently launched hard surface cleaner brand ‘Dazzl’.
“Both Smriti and Sakshi are well respected stars and symbolise a true family woman. We are confident that these associations will prove very fruitful for our home care brands,” Dabur India Senior General Manager (Home Care) Girish Kumar said.
This is the first time Dabur is taking television celebrities in a big way as brand endorsers for its products.
Known for signing big-ticket celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee and M S Dhoni, the roping in of TV stars is seen as a strategic move to penetrate into common household.
“The move will help it to move deeper into the Indian households, where both Smriti and Sakshi enjoy huge popularity,” an an advertising industry insider said, adding it was important to identify right personalities for right products.
“It makes better sense to get television celebrities, who housewives and households in India identify as being the ideal bahu or beti,” he said.
Dabur claims its new hard surface cleaner brand ‘Dazzl’, launched nationally in July 2008, has already garnered a market share of 6.1% in its first quarter in the floor and kitchen cleaner category.
The company said in the toilet cleaner market, its Sanifresh has reported an over 35% volume growth in September, followed by a nearly 60% growth in October, garnering a 10% share of the market as against under 8% share in 2007-08.
As per industry estimates the overall surface and toilet cleaners market is valued at about Rs200 crore.


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The pay and the perks at the top are good — very good.
Sixty-seven fashion executives logged compensation of more than $5 million last year, according to a WWD analysis of publicly traded brands and retailers in the U.S.
A lot of that compensation is just paper, though — stock and option grants made up the majority of many executives’ pay and pushed total compensation for the group to $880.6 million. While that’s a large number by any measure, it completely depends on how much the 67 executives earn from cashing in all those options and grants. It could be less. RELATED STORY: Compensation Close-up, a Look at Pay at the Top >>
The key pay-package trends for last year included:
• J.C. Penney Co. Inc.: The reinventing retailer dominated the leaderboard with chief executive officer Ron Johnson taking the top spot as a large options payout pushed his compensation to $53.3 million. Three other current and former Penney’s executives were in the top 10.
• Chief executive officers: most of the top earners are ceo’s. Exceptions include Reed Krakoff, president and executive creative director at Coach Inc.; Daniel Walker, chief talent officer at Penney’s; Donald Brennan, chief merchandising officer at Kohl’s Corp., and Kathryn Tesija, executive vice president and president of merchandising at Target Corp.
• Fatter paychecks: compensation jumped 30.9 percent to $738.9 million from 2010, excluding the seven executives who were new to their jobs last year.
Experts attribute much of the increase in pay to the supply-and-demand economics of the c-level employment market. To put it simply: there are too many companies desperate for top-notch talent — and too little of it. With so few true executive superstars around, companies looking to recruit them have to pay up. Companies also have to make up for the pay those executives leave behind in their old jobs, since they likely were highly paid already.
“You’re seeing an option play that’s extraordinary,” said Les Berglass, chairman of executive search firm Berglass + Associates. “For the past three or four years, boards could get away with buying talent. Now, not only do they have to buy the talent, they have to buy out their options.”
Large fashion companies are increasingly seen as needing generalists, executives able to oversee sprawling corporate empires and work with a range of strong personalities with very different skills.
“You’re buying a different breed of thoroughbred that will be much more expensive,” Berglass said. “The bottom line is that the marketplace defines the compensation, not edicts from the government or a board….You can’t force successful executives into taking a job; you have to give them more money.”
Penney’s, which last year assembled a team to reinvent the struggling 1,100-door chain, went on the biggest poaching expedition last year.
Johnson took his chief talent officer Daniel Walker from Apple Inc. and convinced Michael Kramer to give up his gig as ceo at Kellwood Co. to be the retailer’s chief operating officer. Johnson also dipped into Target Corp. for Michael Francis, but the association didn’t last, and Francis abruptly left Penney’s in June.
Francis offers a good case study for just how slippery the official compensation figures can be. Had he stayed at Penney’s, Francis would have rated as the third-highest-paid fashion executive, with compensation of $44.7 million. But since he left, his $32.1 million in stock awards never had a chance to vest and were never realized. He also had to give back a portion of his $12 million signing bonus.
In honor of Rihanna’s 30th birthday, we took a look back at an interview with the Barbados-native when she was just 18 years old. Here, she talked about her second album, “A Girl Like Me” in 2006. “I want to be me. I want people to fall in love with who Rihanna is, and that’s why I want the album to be about me so people can really find out who this girl Rihanna is, because they only know the ‘Pon de Replay’ girl.” Fast forward 12 years, and she’s released six more albums and has become a powerhouse in both the fashion and music industries. Happy birthday, @badgalriri 🎈(📷: Pavel Antonov) #wwdarchive
For @simonerocha_‘s fall show, hairstylist @jamespecis created a look inspired by the painter John Constable. Models’ hair was pulled back, tied into knots and topped off with a bow. (📷: @kukukuba) #wwdbeauty #lfw
Queen Elizabeth made a surprise appearance at @richardquinn1's London Fashion Week show to present the designer with the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. The new award will be handed out annually to an emerging British fashion designer who shows exceptional talent, while demonstrating value to the community and sustainable policies. #wwdfashion #lfw (📷: @giovanni_giannoni_photo)


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Lamborghini does not want to launch an electric car series until around 2028. Before then, the Audi subsidiary will equip its large sports cars and the Urus SUV with plug-in hybrid technology. According to reports, the Italians will rely on technology from the Volkswagen Group for the first fully electric car.
In conversation with AutoExpress CEO Stephan Winkelmann confirmed that the upcoming electric car will not replace any of the current model series. As before, he spoke about “the fourth model that will be more suitable for everyday use. That means 2+2, a two-door car with more ground clearance”.
Winkelman also said that the electric car will be built in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group, as was the case with the Urus. So the technical basis can be provided by the new SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) modular architecture, which is intended to be used across the group. Alternatively, the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) developed by Audi and Porsche is already available, which is designed for high-end and sporty models.
“Some of our technological cornerstones fit perfectly into the electronics world,” says CTO Rouven Mohr. “When we talk about the integration of carbon fiber and the battery as a structural part – that’s something that from a design point of view gives you more freedom in terms of aerodynamics.”
In view of the additional weight of electrical engineering, Mohr said AutoExpress: “We have great ideas to compensate for that… for example in terms of driving dynamics, handling, skidability, handling in general.” He spoke of a 360-degree approach where all active systems are connected, to enable wheel speed control, which would not be possible with a conventional internal combustion engine. He is sure that Lamborghini fans will be more than satisfied with this one. “I’m not worried that anyone will complain.”
Lamborghini is investing 1.8 billion euros in a four-year electrification strategy. Before the first electric car, the successor to the Aventador will be launched next year, as well as the new Huracan and the Urus variant with plug-in hybrid drives in 2024.
In addition to the electric car, Winklmann wants to offer other models such as hybrids “for as long as possible”. He explained to AutoExpressthat synthetic energies can play a role in “keeping them alive”. However, it is still too early for precise plans for the brand’s car. “After 2025 we have to make a decision.”


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(Reuters) - Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc posted a wider-than-expected loss on weak sales of its gout drug Krystexxa in the first two months, sending its shares down 13 percent.
The drugmaker, which is under pressure from its largest creditor to liquidate itself, said it expects sales of branded and generic versions of its other drug oxandrolone -- used to promote weight gain following involuntary weight loss -- to decline through the year.
The company’s largest creditor, Tang Capital Partners, was denied a request on Tuesday to bar Savient from raise $44 million.
Tang Capital called Krystexxa a commercial failure and demanded earlier this month that Savient liquidate itself and distribute its assets to creditors.
However, Savient said on a call with analysts that sales of Krystexxa had picked up. The company expects the increase in sales to continue as the drug’s permanent reimbursement code became effective in January.
The number of Krystexxa accounts in the first quarter rose 20 percent sequentially to 115.
January-March net loss widened to $34.2 million, or 49 cents per share, from $13.5 million, or 19 cents per share, last year.
Revenue more than doubled to $3.5 million. Sales of Krystexxa contributed nearly 90 percent to total revenue.
Analysts on an average expected a loss of 46 cents per share on revenue of $4.6 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Shares in the East Brunswick, New Jersey-based company, which have fallen more than 10 percent since its chief financial officer resigned last month, were down 12 percent at $1.61 on Wednesday.
Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui and Vidya P L Nathan in Bangalore; Editing by Maju Samuel, Roshni Menon


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“Januworry” is here, with parents already dreading the queue to buy school uniforms. Many schools require learners to wear items that are exclusive to the school and these are often only available at one or two selected outfitters, who can charge what they want because there is no competition.
Financially stressed parents often complain that nobody does anything that will make uniforms cheaper, without knowing that they actually do have the power to change the school uniforms at the school their children attend. All they have to do is ask the right questions.
National guideline on school uniforms
The Department of Basic Education already issued the National Guideline on School Uniforms in 2015 to discourage the use of a single supplier approach, because it adds to parents’ financial burden. In spite of the guidelines, many schools still have exclusive contracts with one or two suppliers.
National Guidelines were first published in the Government Gazette in 2006 in terms of the Schools Act. According to these guidelines, school uniforms have an important social and educational objective, but the availability of the uniforms may not restrict access to schools or interfere with anybody’s constitutional rights.
These guidelines emphasised that stakeholders regard uniforms as a positive and creative way to identify school children and enhance discipline and safety at schools. It also stated that wearing school uniforms curbed peer pressure for expensive clothes, theft of expensive clothes and gang violence, as well as helping children to concentrate better.
At the time, the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) pointed out that most of these reasons were not supported by empirical research and that it was not a given that children who did not wear school uniforms were ill-mannered, violent or members of gangs.
The Competition Commission investigated anti-competitive behaviour at schools in 2017 and found that the majority of schools did not have exclusive agreements with school uniform suppliers. A third of private schools (32% or about 183 out of 573) and so-called former model C schools (33% or about 567 out of 1723) still had exclusive agreements with school uniform suppliers.
Most of the schools that had exclusive agreements with school uniform suppliers had concluded the agreements a number of years ago, with the oldest agreement concluded in 1974, while some were still entering into these agreements in 2017. Most of these exclusive agreements were not concluded after open tenders and a competitive process.
More than half of the private and former model C schools (52%) said then that they intended to open the bidding space going forward.
The commission then embarked on an extensive advocacy and awareness drive against anti-competitive behaviour in the procurement of school uniforms, to ensure that all schools complied with the guidelines.
In July 2017, the department, with the help of the commission, published another circular on the procurement of school uniforms that was distributed to principals and staff of all public schools, as well as members of governing bodies, teacher organisations and unions and relevant non-governmental organisations.
Anti-competitive behaviour spells bad news for parents as well as new entrants into the market. Parents cannot choose where they want to buy school uniforms and have to pay exorbitantly for simple items such as a school dress, which can cost about R280 for a seven year old. In addition, these exclusive contracts also bar new school uniform suppliers from entering the market.
ALSO READ: The new back-to-school normal – in shift
What can parents do?
South African consumers are now, more than ever, severely cash-strapped, with many parents losing their jobs or receiving a reduced salary due to the pandemic. Various surveys has indicated that it can cost up to R1800 to buy a uniform for a grade 1 child, while buying generic school uniforms is much cheaper.
Better schools usually have more exclusive, but more expensive school uniforms and parents, who want to offer their children a better education, can hardly afford more expensive uniforms after already paying high school fees.
The good news is that parents can do something by making their voices heard at their schools’ governing bodies that decide on the school uniforms. Unfortunately these bodies only meet later in the year when parents are over the pain of paying for uniforms.
Parents should firstly ask whether the school has an agreement with a specific supplier and how many suppliers are used. They should also ask if the agreement was completed after an open tender process, as well as how long the agreement is for.
The best option is an agreement with an end date and enough suppliers to give parents the biggest option possible of where they choose to buy.
Parents can also look at alternatives, such as short pants in summer and long pants in winter with short sleeve or long sleeve T-shirts, or denims in winter that are warmer and cheaper, with sandals for summer and sneakers for winter.
In this case, schools can make rules such as no frayed denims, no high heel sandals or only white sneakers. The point is that all parents should be able to buy clothes from any retailer, without too much financial stress.
According to the commission, it has now also started receiving complaints about the procurement of other learning-related goods and services. “In the era of Covid-19, the commission received complaints about requirements for learners to wear school-branded or brand-specific Covid-19-related items, such as face masks, hand sanitisers, technological gadgets for e-learning purposes and other items.”
He says the expectation for parents to buy school-branded masks, for instance, deprives consumers of the choice to buy a non-branded mask in the school’s colours from an alternative supplier, at a better price.
“It is important that schools understand that the same principles that are set out to ensure pro-competitive procurement applies equally to the procurement of all other learning-related goods such as textbooks and stationery and services such as school catering services, cleaning services and transport services.”
The commission and the Department of Basic Education have therefore jointly published an updated circular on the “Procurement of School Uniforms and other Learning-Related Goods and Services” to provide guidance on best practices relating to all procurement undertaken by schools.


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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Confused about when to toss food in your fridge?
Many consumers say "best by," "sell by," and "best before" labels don't help, and now the food industry is looking to change that with a simple fix.
Every grocery shopper wants to buy the freshest food that will stay fresh the longest after you bring it home.
But if your food reaches the "sell by" date does that mean you have to throw it away? And if you're past the "best by" date, does that mean it's no longer edible?
"Sometimes I think it's slightly confusing because it's 'sell by' but you don't know what it's 'used by.' I would like if they would stick to one thing on every product, that would be way easier," shopper Lisa Herrmann said.
Two of the nation's largest grocery store trade groups agree. According to the Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers Association, consumers are confronted with more than 10 different date labels on packages.
They've announced a joint effort with retailers to adopt a new industry standard of just two labels "best if used by" for quality and "use by" for products that are highly perishable or have a food safety concern over time.
"There's always this habit of going to the back of the shelf and taking the milk with the date that's the furthest out," said Emily Broad Leib, director of Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic. "I think this will really help consumers know when does that date matter and when does it not matter for safety reasons."
"We have strong support throughout the industry for this streamlined initiative," said Meghan Stasz, senior director of sustainability at the Grocery Manufacturers Association. "It's an example of the food industry really stepping up and stepping forward to address a consumer challenge."
The Natural Resources Defense Council says millions of Americans are throwing out good food because they believe it's not safe to eat after the date on the package.
"We waste about 40 percent of the food we produce," Leib said. "The single most cost effective solution is standardizing and clarifying date labels."
The trade groups say they expect the new labels to be widely adopted by the summer of next year.
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Cannabis Retail Outreach Mtg- John Fitch Hwy
The company looking to open a recreational pot shop at 143-145 Water St. is eyeing a second location in the city.
The second location proposed by Avon-based Green Era LLC is a currently vacant building at 371 John Fitch Highway.
Green Era Manager Jack Carney said the approximately 3,000 square-foot parcel was attractive for its proximity to a busy roadway and for being a ways away from schools and neighborhoods.
"There's a large population in this region, so we thought that it would be a popular location," he said.
Carney said Green Era's "original goal" was to open a second shop in Leominster, but discussions with the city stalled. Leominster adopted zoning that governs where cannabis companies can and cannot locate last summer.
So the company instead decided to pursue a second retail establishment in Fitchburg, he said. Green Era is also among a slate of companies vying for the chance to apply for a cannabis shop in Worcester.
Carney expects to sign a "host community agreement" for the Water Street dispensary with the city this week. He expects another such agreement related to the John Fitch Highway will be finalized a few weeks after that.
Green Era is tentatively calling its proposed Water Street location Colonial Cannabis, though Carney said the name may change. For that location Carney said he will seek a special permit at a Nov. 14 Planning Board meeting.